Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A wireless communication terminal that wirelessly communicates with a base wireless communication terminal, the wireless communication terminal comprising: a transceiver; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: set an integer selected from a range of 0 to a value equal to or smaller than an OFDMA Contention Window (OCW) as a counter for random access, receive a trigger frame for triggering random access using one or more resource units (RUs) allocated for the random access from the base wireless communication terminal using the transceiver, decrement a value of the counter based on the one or more RUs allocated for the random access when the trigger frame does not schedule an uplink transmission of the wireless communication terminal, and attempt transmission to the base wireless communication terminal when the value of the counter is 0 or reaches 0, wherein the RU is a group of a plurality of subcarriers usable for uplink transmission and downlink transmission.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically addressing efficient random access procedures in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) networks. The problem solved is the need for a structured and fair method for wireless terminals to contend for uplink transmission opportunities when multiple devices attempt random access simultaneously. The wireless communication terminal includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor initializes a counter for random access, selecting an integer value within a range from 0 to a predefined maximum, which is the OFDMA Contention Window (OCW). The terminal receives a trigger frame from a base station, which allocates one or more resource units (RUs) for random access. Each RU consists of a group of subcarriers usable for both uplink and downlink transmissions. If the trigger frame does not schedule an uplink transmission for the terminal, the processor decrements the counter based on the number of allocated RUs. When the counter reaches zero, the terminal attempts transmission to the base station. This mechanism ensures that terminals with lower counter values transmit first, reducing collisions and improving access fairness. The system dynamically adjusts contention based on available resources, optimizing network efficiency.
2. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the base wireless communication terminal, the processor is configured to: set an OCW minimum value, which is a parameter indicating a minimum value of an OCW, to a value predetermined as a default value of the OCW minimum value, and set an OCW maximum value, which is a parameter indicating a maximum value of an OCW, to a value predetermined as a default value of the OCW maximum value, wherein the value predetermined as the default value of the OCW minimum value and the value predetermined as the default value of the OCW maximum value are not values designated by the base wireless communication terminal.
A wireless communication terminal is configured to manage its contention window (OCW) parameters independently when not associated with a base wireless communication terminal. The terminal sets an OCW minimum value and an OCW maximum value to predetermined default values, which are not designated by the base terminal. The OCW minimum value defines the smallest possible contention window size, while the OCW maximum value defines the largest possible contention window size. These parameters control the range within which the terminal selects a backoff period before transmitting data, reducing collisions in shared wireless channels. The default values ensure consistent behavior when the terminal operates autonomously, such as during initial network discovery or when disconnected from a base station. This approach avoids reliance on external configuration, improving robustness in dynamic or unassociated states. The terminal dynamically adjusts the OCW parameters based on channel conditions or network policies when associated with a base terminal, but defaults to fixed values when unassociated. This method enhances reliability in standalone operation while maintaining compatibility with network-managed configurations.
3. The wireless communication terminal of claim 2 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the base wireless communication terminal and the wireless communication terminal communicates with a different base wireless communication terminal different from the base wireless communication terminal, the processor is configured to initialize a parameter for random access to the different base wireless communication terminal, wherein the parameter for the random access comprises the counter, an OCW minimum value, which is a parameter indicating a minimum value of the OCW, and an OCW maximum value, which is a parameter indicating a maximum value of the OCW.
This invention relates to wireless communication terminals, specifically addressing the challenge of efficient random access procedures when a terminal transitions between different base stations. The system involves a wireless communication terminal that dynamically initializes parameters for random access to a new base station when it is not associated with its original base station. The terminal communicates with a different base station and adjusts its random access parameters, including a counter, an OCW (contention window) minimum value, and an OCW maximum value. These parameters define the range and behavior of the contention window used during random access, ensuring proper synchronization and resource allocation. The terminal's processor manages these parameters to optimize the random access process, reducing delays and improving connection reliability when switching between base stations. This approach enhances network efficiency by dynamically adapting to changing network conditions and ensuring seamless handover procedures. The invention is particularly useful in mobile communication environments where terminals frequently switch between base stations, requiring robust and adaptive random access mechanisms.
4. The wireless communication terminal of claim 3 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the base wireless communication terminal, the processor is configured to: set the OCW minimum value and the OCW maximum value according to information received from the base wireless communication terminal when the wireless communication terminal communicates with the base wireless communication terminal, and set the OCW minimum value and the OCW maximum value according to information received from the different base wireless communication terminal when the wireless communication terminal communicates with the different base wireless communication terminal.
This invention relates to wireless communication terminals, specifically addressing the dynamic adjustment of contention window (CW) parameters in unassociated terminals. The problem solved is the need for efficient and adaptive contention window management in wireless networks, particularly when a terminal transitions between different base stations. The wireless communication terminal includes a processor configured to manage contention window (CW) parameters, specifically the minimum (OCW min) and maximum (OCW max) values. When the terminal is unassociated with a base station, the processor dynamically adjusts these values based on received information. If the terminal communicates with a base station, the OCW min and OCW max are set according to data received from that base station. Similarly, if the terminal communicates with a different base station, the OCW min and OCW max are updated based on information from the new base station. This ensures optimal contention window settings for efficient channel access and reduced collisions in the network. The terminal may also include a transceiver for wireless communication and a memory for storing configuration data. The dynamic adjustment of CW parameters improves network performance by adapting to varying network conditions and base station policies.
5. The wireless communication terminal of claim 4 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is associated to a BSS corresponding to a nontransmitted Basic Service Set Identification (BSSID) of a multiple BSSID set, the processor is configured to set an OCW minimum value, which is a parameter indicating the minimum value of the OCW, and an OCW maximum value, which is a parameter indicating the maximum value of the OCW, according to UL OFDMA-based Random Access (UORA) parameter set element from a BSS corresponding to a transmitted BSSID of the multiple BSSID set, wherein the UORA parameter set includes a parameter related to the counter.
6. The wireless communication terminal of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured not to decrement the value of the counter based on a trigger frame transmitted from the BSS corresponding to the transmitted BS SID of the multiple BS SID set.
This invention relates to wireless communication terminals, specifically addressing the challenge of managing counter decrements in response to trigger frames from a Basic Service Set (BSS) in a multi-BSS environment. The terminal includes a processor and a counter, where the counter is used to track events or timeouts related to wireless communication. The processor is configured to prevent the counter from decrementing when a trigger frame is received from a BSS that matches the transmitted BSS Service Identifier (BS SID) from a predefined set of multiple BS SIDs. This ensures that the counter remains unaffected by trigger frames from irrelevant BSSs, improving efficiency and accuracy in wireless communication management. The terminal may also include a transmitter for sending frames with the BS SID and a receiver for detecting trigger frames. The processor's logic ensures that only relevant BSS-triggered frames influence the counter, reducing unnecessary decrements and maintaining proper synchronization or event tracking. This solution is particularly useful in environments where multiple BSSs operate simultaneously, such as in dense wireless networks or multi-access point deployments.
7. The wireless communication terminal of claim 6 , wherein the UORA parameter set received from the BSS corresponding to the transmitted BS SID is not a UORA parameter set indicated in a signaling field allocated for a BSS including the wireless communication terminal.
8. A method of operating a wireless communication terminal wirelessly communicating with a base wireless communication terminal, the method comprising: setting an integer selected from a range of 0 to a value equal to or smaller than an OFDMA Contention Window (OCW) as a counter for random access, receiving a trigger frame for triggering random access using one or more resource units (RUs) allocated for the random access from the base wireless communication terminal using the transceiver, decrementing a value of the counter based on the one or more RUs allocated for the random access when the trigger frame does not schedule an uplink transmission of the wireless communication terminal, and attempting transmission to the base wireless communication terminal when the value of the counter is 0 or reaches 0, wherein the RU is a group of a plurality of subcarriers usable for uplink transmission and downlink transmission.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the base wireless communication terminal, the method further comprises: setting an OCW minimum value, which is a parameter indicating a minimum value of the OCW, to a value predetermined as a default value of the OCW minimum value, and setting an OCW maximum value, which is a parameter indicating a maximum value of the OCW, to a value predetermined as a default value of the OCW maximum value, wherein the value predetermined as the default value of the OCW minimum value and the value predetermined as the default value of the OCW maximum value are not values designated by the base wireless communication terminal.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the base wireless communication terminal and the wireless communication terminal communicates with a different base wireless communication terminal different from the base wireless communication terminal, the method further comprises: initializing a parameter for random access to the different base wireless communication terminal, wherein the parameter for the random access comprises the counter, an OCW minimum value, which is a parameter indicating a minimum value of the OCW, and an OCW maximum value, which is a parameter indicating a maximum value of the OCW.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is a wireless communication terminal unassociated with the base wireless communication terminal, the method further comprises: setting the OCW minimum value and the OCW maximum value according to information received from the base wireless communication terminal when the wireless communication terminal communicates with the base wireless communication terminal, and setting the OCW minimum value and the OCW maximum value according to information received from the different base wireless communication terminal when the wireless communication terminal communicates with the different base wireless communication terminal.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein when the wireless communication terminal is associated to a BSS corresponding to a nontransmitted Basic Service Set Identification (BSSID) of a multiple BSSID set, the method further comprises: setting an OCW minimum value, which is a parameter indicating the minimum value of the OCW, and an OCW maximum value, which is a parameter indicating the maximum value of the OCW, according to UL OFDMA-based Random Access (UORA) parameter set element from a BSS corresponding to a transmitted BSSID of the multiple BSSID set, wherein the UORA parameter set includes a parameter related to the counter.
13. The method of claim 12 , decrementing a value of the counter based on the one or more RUs allocated for the random access comprises not decrementing the value of the counter based on a trigger frame transmitted from the BSS corresponding to the transmitted BS SID of the multiple BS SID set.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for managing random access procedures in a basic service set (BSS) environment where multiple BSS service identifiers (SIDs) are used. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of random access units (RUs) in scenarios where a trigger frame is transmitted from a BSS, leading to unnecessary counter decrements and potential resource wastage. The method involves decrementing a counter value based on the allocation of one or more RUs for random access. However, when a trigger frame is transmitted from the BSS corresponding to the transmitted BSS SID of the multiple BSS SID set, the counter is not decremented. This prevents the counter from being reduced when the trigger frame is sent, ensuring accurate tracking of available RUs and avoiding misallocation of resources. The method ensures that the counter only decrements when RUs are actually allocated for random access, improving efficiency in wireless communication systems with multiple BSS SIDs. The approach optimizes resource management by distinguishing between RU allocations and trigger frame transmissions, reducing unnecessary counter adjustments and enhancing system performance.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the UORA parameter set received from the BSS corresponding to the transmitted BSSID is not a UORA parameter set indicated in a signaling field allocated for a BSS including the wireless communication terminal.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically addressing challenges in managing unsolicited random access (UORA) parameters in wireless networks. The problem arises when a wireless communication terminal receives a UORA parameter set from a basic service set (BSS) that does not match the expected UORA parameters for that BSS. This mismatch can disrupt communication efficiency and reliability, particularly in environments with multiple overlapping BSSs. The invention provides a method to handle this scenario by detecting when the received UORA parameter set from a BSS, identified by its BSSID, does not align with the UORA parameters indicated in the signaling field allocated for the BSS that includes the wireless communication terminal. This ensures that the terminal operates with the correct UORA parameters, preventing conflicts and improving communication stability. The method involves verifying the consistency of UORA parameters between the received set and the expected set, allowing the terminal to either adjust its operations or ignore the mismatched parameters to maintain proper communication. This solution is particularly useful in dense wireless networks where multiple BSSs may interfere with each other, ensuring that terminals use the correct UORA parameters for their associated BSS. The invention enhances reliability and reduces errors in random access procedures, which are critical for efficient data transmission in wireless systems.
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January 26, 2021
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